Amanda Lemus Ortiz, a young Cuban girl who recently underwent surgery in Spain to have a stent placed in her biliary duct, received a heartwarming surprise from the Real Madrid Foundation. On Facebook, activist Yamilka Lafita (Lara Crofs) shared that characters from the beloved "Star Wars" series visited Madrid's La Paz hospital, where Amanda is staying, to bring joy to the young patients. The Real Madrid Foundation gifted Amanda a plush toy.
"Amanda was asleep and missed the visitors from distant galaxies, but her mother, Mila Ortiz, took the opportunity to snap a selfie," recounted Lara Crofs. "I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the kind souls who bring a little happiness to these children and their families, who, like our Amanda, are facing tough times," she added.
Amanda is steadily recovering from her recent procedure. Lara Crofs reported that the young girl is now fully awake from anesthesia, had a restful night from Tuesday to Wednesday, and was able to relax. "Her recovery is off to a good start, which brings us peace of mind," she noted.
The latest surgery Amanda underwent was notably long and challenging. Her mother explained that the operation was particularly difficult because the duct was nearly closed, but the medical team succeeded in placing the stent. "The doctors told me everything went well. It took a long time due to its complexity, but the stent is now in place," she confirmed.
Amanda, who had a liver transplant in Spain last March, was readmitted to the hospital on November 27. She had been experiencing itching so severe that it disturbed her sleep. An urgent ultrasound revealed that her biliary duct was dilating again. Initially, they attempted to insert a stent on November 28 to ensure proper function, but the narrowness of the duct prevented this. A drain was temporarily used to expel bile from her body, but attempts to re-enter the duct the following week were unsuccessful.
"The doctors decided to proceed with surgery to try to adjust the duct and place the stent, as without it, there is a risk of affecting her healthy liver again," Lara explained last week.
Back in November, seven months after Amanda's transplant following her abandonment by the Cuban healthcare system, Lara shared a photo illustrating Amanda's remarkable progress. "Do you recognize this little face? To me, it represents determination, the belief that 'where there's a will, there's a way,' and the solidarity of a civil society rallying for a noble cause," she expressed on Facebook.
Amanda's fight for life began in January when her mother's plea to the world went viral, apologizing to her daughter for bringing her into a country unable to meet her medical needs. Suffering from a severe liver condition, Amanda urgently required a liver transplant, a procedure not feasible in Cuba due to limitations. A humanitarian visa was sought for her.
Thanks to the efforts of activists, independent media, and generous Cubans, the necessary funds were raised, allowing Amanda and her parents to travel to Spain, where a hospital agreed to take on her case.
Understanding Amanda's Medical Journey
Why did Amanda need a stent in her biliary duct?
Amanda required a stent because her biliary duct was nearly closed, preventing proper bile drainage, which could have led to complications with her liver function.
How did the Real Madrid Foundation contribute to Amanda's recovery?
The Real Madrid Foundation helped lift Amanda's spirits by gifting her a plush toy during a visit by Star Wars characters to her hospital, which is part of their initiative to support young patients.
What were the challenges faced during Amanda's surgery?
The surgery was complicated due to the near closure of Amanda's biliary duct, requiring a lengthy and intricate procedure to successfully place the stent.